Unofficial memorial established for victims of 2021 floods

Activists from the Climate Justice for Rosa group have erected a memorial to the victims of the 2021 fatal floods in Belgium.

The memorial consists of a large metal plaque with the names of the 39 Belgian residents who died in the floods.

The activists, including climate activist Benjamin Van Bunderen-Robberechts, said that they had organised the unofficial tribute in front of the Belgian federal parliament because of the lack of an official day of remembrance.

“Belgium itself is not organising anything – no ceremony, no recognition, no names,” Van Bunderen-Robberechts said.

Van Bunderen-Robberechts lost a close friend in the 2021 floods and said that while victims are commemorated each year on 15 July at a European level, Belgian acknowledgement is missing.

The monument’s location close to the seat of the federal government is intended to encourage legislators to rectify this, and hopefully relocate the memorial to inside the federal chamber itself.

“This action is a tribute to those we have lost,” said Van Bunderen-Robberechts.

“At the same time, it’s also a political signal. The climate crisis is claiming victims, here and now. It’s time that these people are given a place in our collective memory.”

Despite its unofficial nature, many politicians were also present at the commemoration ceremony, including Groen party chairman Bart Dhondt.

“It hits you when you read those names,” said Dhondt.

“It reminds me of the memorials for the world wars. We must take action now to prevent future climate victims.”